Home Lighting Distributors and Wholesalers Key Terms

Learn the vocabulary of home lighting distributors and wholesalers

By Catherine Ryan

It is important to be able to communicate effortlessly with distributors and wholesalers when you run a home lighting retail business. You need to learn a few important key terms in order to ensure that you stock the highest quality and safest lighting options for your customers.

Familiarize yourself with the following terms when browsing the offerings of home lighting distributors and wholesalers: National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors, Energy Star, fixture requirements, downlight, burning position and task lighting.

National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors (NAILD)

The National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors (NAILD) is the main industry organization for lighting distributors. To ensure that you work with the most reputable distributors, check to see if they are NAILD members.
Try: Read about the mission of the NAILD and its standards on its website.

Energy Star

Energy Star is a label given to energy efficient lighting fixtures by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Generally, fixtures that receive the Energy Star label are those that use fluorescent and LED lights.
Try: Learn more about the Energy Star program in relation to home lighting products at the Energy Star website.

Fixture requirements

Fixture requirements are the parameters for proper and safe use of a particular light fixture. Such requirements include location (outdoor or indoor) and bulb-type (wattage and voltage).
Try: General Electric provides a definition of fixture requirements in relation to HID lights. The site's glossary can also provide you with definitions of many other home lighting terms.

Downlight

Downlight is a term applied to any type of ceiling-mounted, recessed lighting. The term describes the downward direction in which the light shines from such light fixtures.
Try: Go to CSN Lighting's website for a thorough explanation of downlight, along with a host of other home lighting terms.

Burning position

Burning position refers to positioning a light fixture so that it will operate at maximum safety and efficiency.
Try: Pro Lighting explains the abbreviations used with different types of standard industry burning positions.

Task lighting

Task lighting is a term applied to any type of lighting that is used for the completion of a specific task. Examples of task lighting include desk lamps, reading lamps and ceiling pendants.
Try: Get an in-depth definition of task lighting from OSRAM Sylvania.